Environment

Appropriates the amount of $647,600 from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for a grant to the Forest Preserve District of Cook County for the administration and operation of Greencorps Chicago and Forest Preserve Experience programs within the Conservation Corps program. Effective July 1, 2025.

Provides that the amendatory Act may be referred to as the Land Conservation Incentives Act. Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Provides that, for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2025, there is a tax credit of up to $200,000 with respect to qualified real property interest conveyed for conservation and preservation purposes as the qualified donation by the taxpayer, with certain requirements. Provides that any taxpayer claiming this tax credit may not claim a credit under any similar law for costs related to the same project. Provides that any tax credits from the donation of an interest in land made by a pass-through tax entity such as a trust, estate, partnership, limited liability corporation or partnership, limited partnership, S corporation, or other fiduciary shall be used either by such entity if it is the taxpayer on behalf of such entity or by the member, manager, partner, shareholder, or beneficiary, as the case may be, in proportion to their interest in such entity if the income, deductions, and tax liability passes through such entity to such member, manager, partner, shareholder, or beneficiary, and that such tax credits may not be claimed by both the entity and the member, manager, partner, shareholder, or beneficiary for the same donation. Requires the Department of Natural Resources and Department of Revenue to adopt rules. Defines terms. Makes findings.

Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Requires the Environmental Protection Agency to annually review and update the underlying data for, and use of, indicators used to determine whether a community is designated as an environmental justice community and to establish a process by which communities not designated as environmental justice communities may petition for such a designation. Provides that an applicant for a permit for the construction of a new source that will become a major source subject to the Clean Air Act Permit Program to be located in an environmental justice community or a new source that has or will require a federally enforceable State operating permit and that will be located in an environmental justice community must conduct a public meeting prior to submission of the permit application and must submit with the permit application an environmental justice assessment identifying the potential environmental and health impacts to the area associated with the proposed project. Provides requirements for the environmental justice assessment. Contains provisions regarding public participation requirements for permitting transactions in an environmental justice community. Provides that, if the Agency grants a permit to construct, modify, or operate a facility that emits air pollutants and is classified as a minor source, a third party may petition the Pollution Control Board for a hearing to contest the issuance of the permit. Contains provisions regarding environmental justice grievances. Defines terms. Contains other provisions.

Amends the Solid Waste Planning and Recycling Act. Provides that, beginning 18 months after the amendatory Act's effective date, (1) no store or food service business shall provide or sell a single-use plastic carryout bag to a customer and (2) no grocery store shall provide or sell a single-use paper carryout bag to a customer. Preempts home rule powers. Contains other provisions. Effective immediately.

Amends the Urban and Community Forestry Assistance Act. Provides that requests for grant assistance shall include, but not be limited to, those activities that will implement or enhance: (1) current Illinois Forest Action Plans objectives; (2) local Forestry Program management objectives as determined by an urban and community forestry management plan; (3) build tree canopy capacity in underserved and disadvantaged areas of communities or counties; or (4) improve urban and community forest canopy in Illinois communities and counties. Makes changes in provisions duties of the Department of Natural Resources; the concerning grants. amounts. Defines terms.

Creates the Taxpayer Relief from Ubiquitous Synthetic Toxics (TRUST) Act. Creates the PFAS Fund as a special fund in the State treasury. Provides that the Fund shall include settlements from enforcement actions brought by the Attorney General, as well as other moneys. Provides for a PFAS Grant Program funded by the PFAS Fund to cover PFAS-related costs of eligible entities as determined by the Environmental Protection Agency. Provides for a PFAS Reimbursement Program funded by the PFAS Fund to cover PFAS-related costs of eligible entities as determined by the Agency. Provides rules for payments of reimbursements or grant awards. Provides that the Agency shall administer the Act and adopt rules. Provides for enforcement of the Act. Creates a tax on manufacturing PFAS. Provides that the Agency shall propose to the Pollution Control Board, and no later than one year after receipt of the Agency's proposal, the Board shall adopt, rules specifying which PFAS chemicals are subject to the tax and the applicable rate for each PFAS chemical determined to be subject to the tax. Provides for a manufacturer to file a return with the Department of Revenue, with certain requirements. Provides that the Department shall administer the tax and adopt rules. Provides that moneys collected under the tax shall be deposited into the PFAS Fund. Provides that final Agency decisions made under the PFAS Reimbursement Program shall be subject to review in the same manner as appeals of permit denial under provisions in the Environmental Protection Act. Provides that all other final administrative decisions made under the Act are subject to review in accordance with the Administrative Review Law. States the purpose of the Act. Defines terms. Makes conforming changes to the State Finance Act. Effective immediately.

Creates the Conservation of Energy in State Government Act. Requires the electrical lights in State buildings and facilities to be turned off unless: (1) the building or facility or that part of it is occupied; (2) the building or facility is open 24-hours a day; or (3) the lighting is required for security or safety purposes.

Amends the Solid Waste Planning and Recycling Act. Provides that, beginning 18 months after the amendatory Act's effective date, (1) no store or food service business shall provide or sell a single-use plastic carryout bag to a customer and (2) no grocery store shall provide or sell a single-use paper carryout bag to a customer. Preempts home rule. Contains other provisions. Effective immediately.

Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Restores provisions in the Act regarding greenhouse gases to their form before Public Act 102-662. Repeals a provision defining "clean energy". Effective immediately.

Amends Public Act 103-0589. Increases the Fiscal Year 2025 appropriation to the Department of Agriculture from the Partners for Conservation Fund for grants to Soil and Water Conservation Districts for ordinary and contingent administrative expenses from $4,500,000 to $8,500,000. Effective immediately.